Manager Sam Allardyce has explained why Stephen Warnock was left out of the squad at Sunderland this Saturday afternoon.

The Rovers defender didn't make the journey to the Stadium of Light, with the manager explaining:

"Stephen's head wasn't right so we left him at home. Thats the bottom line.

"We know the Aston Villa scenario and it would have not have been right playing him because his mind is not on performing at his best so we left him back at Ewood.

"If a lad's head is messed up because of anything that might stop him performing to his best then I would prefer that they say and don't play rather than actually try and get out there and let the team down and let themselves down."